Chapter 588

The wanderer was plagued by an unbearable hunger.

A thirst that scorched his throat, as if it were burning him alive.

He yearned and longed with all his being.

Just like the lost traveler desiring a sip of water to soothe his burning throat, or something to put in his mouth to ease his starving belly, he hoped.

Thus, as he wandered aimlessly, his gaze finally fell upon a single red fruit.

Its bright, hanging form seemed to call out loudly, declaring its presence like a landmark. At the sight of it, the wanderer felt a fleeting relief from his hunger and thirst. As he climbed the tree, the tantalizing scent that teased his nose made him want to lose himself in it. His mind danced with the knowledge that his desire was within reach, and how could he not be overcome with joy?

Ah, it must be the guidance and protection of God, for this joy is indescribable.

But what if birds and beasts contested for that fruit?

What to do when the fruit is so close, yet not easily obtained?

For if only he could reach out his hand and grasp it, carefully placing it into his mouth, the tangy sweetness would tease his tongue, and the sweet juices would trickle down his throat, soothing the fiery pain that had tormented him.

What should he do?

What must the wandering one do?

Ah, under such burning thirst!

Under such squeezing hunger!

Certainly, the task at hand must be pursued!

“Oh, God has sent a sign, carrying a newspaper through the winds to the secluded corner of a park. His grace is like the sun, immeasurably boundless! How could a mere piece of paper, wafting in the wind, find its way to the terrace of the Goddess Minerva in the vast Mammoth Country, where no traces of civilization exist? And how could that newspaper remain dry, unripped, and unharmed despite a fierce journey, finally arriving before me? Surely, this is no accident.”

A soundless whisper reached his ears.

A sound exists without meaning, yet the whisper carries meaning to be interpreted.

By this whisper!

Ah, now I understand your purpose!

“The sign indicates the very thing I sought lies there. You have printed the marker in type and carried it through the wind, showing me the way I must follow. Oh, Lord, I now truly know your presence on this earth, that you are in the ground, not the heavens.”

The wind swayed and brushed past his ear, swirling and darting through small crevices, racing through the trees. This wild movement felt like the free-flowing garments of a goddess dancing, her breath mingling with the moisture-laden air. What else could this wind be if not her very breath?

The earth trembled, resonating with the heart’s beat. As if the goddess herself embraced it all, this vibration was transferred into his body. Ah, the warmth and security felt no less than that of a lover’s embrace. So palpable was the beat of her great heart, it seemed akin to both lovers’ connection and the bond between mother and child. Ah, I truly realize I am lover and child, wrapped within her immense love.

Therefore, it must be done.

You must carry out the task you are meant to do.

The whisper of the earth calls to you, demanding you to act accordingly.

“With the holy book as my guide, I take this step as a pilgrim traveling to a sacred land. With the faith of the devout! I journey through dangerous places, enduring the travels across a fiery pit filled with robbers and demons. In this heart, I cry aloud and beseech the Creator of the world, Owner of all things, to bestow me with strict teachings!”

“Let it be known that this law is solemn, to be followed by foreigners and locals alike. I am your Lord, your God.”

“Why don’t you serve your Lord, you righteous foreigners? Even if you are a foreigner, if you believe in the Lord, at that moment you can enter the community. This is the inclusiveness and love God has for all of you. You must all believe in the Lord God and keep his solemn law.”

“In ancient times, the name of the mother was Shelomith, a daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan, she blasphemed and cursed, and the people came to Moses. They were confined awaiting the will of Moses.”

“Ah! Bring out the blasphemer, and let all who have heard the unspeakable words place their hands on his head and cast him with stones so the land will not be defiled by the blood of the sacrilegious one. Ah, the wisdom of the Lord is so deep and wondrous!”

[ “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and all who heard it shall lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” ]

[ “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and all who heard it shall lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” ]

“Let it be known that through Him, the impure blood is cast out, and purity is maintained. Ah, overcome with emotion, the multitude cannot speak. Thus, let measure be met with measure, and punishment with punishment. Knowing this law’s majesty, O my Lord who bestows boundless love, it is declared, ‘An eye for an eye,’ emphasizing His glory and purity. Thus, we carry this law forward—though it’s a heavy burden as we traverse the wilderness, a promise of a shining future lies ahead. Let this law be engraved deeply from Israel to Egypt, from Gerar to Noah.”

*

“Ki-yaaak!”

Creak!

Creak, creak, creak, creak, creak!

The window shook.

The door wobbled.

The furniture swayed.

As if an earthquake had struck, the floor trembled violently. The windows rattled as if they might break any second, and the floor bounced as if it might collapse at any moment. The furniture struggled to withstand the shaking, ready to fall apart, while everything moved chaotically without any respite.

As the tremor hit, the great witch Odilia screamed like a bird and clutched her head, collapsing to the ground. Rise, who came from a country familiar with earthquakes, quickly hid under a table to assess the situation.

And Jinseong?

“Hmm, how troubling.”

Even amidst the fierce tremor shaking the entire structure, Jinseong stood steady with a faint smile. His mind was completely unmoved, calm as a lake untouched by ripples. Within this tranquility, Jinseong perceived that the quake was not real and that it was not a natural phenomenon but something artificially created.

“The shaking of the mind is the shaking of the senses; the shaking of the senses is the illusion of perception. With a heart as cold as the icy waters of a lake, I declare, the illusion upon the lake’s surface, like the fragmented moonlight, shall shatter and dissolve.”

Jinseong stood firm and recited the invocation.

At once, the violent shaking that seemed ready to annihilate the floor ceased abruptly, and calm returned.

Yet, the silence was too stark, too unnatural against the chaos that had just occurred.

Not only Jinseong but Odilia and Rise as well could plainly see this was the result of someone’s hostile hand at work.

And they also understood that the stillness Jinseong had summoned was akin to the quiet before a storm.

“Prepare for an attack.”